SHEFFIELD UTD 0, QPR 3. Paddy Kenny had the last laugh over the United fans who barracked him throughout this encounter as his new side destroyed his former club in an electrifying 23-minute spell.

The Republic of Ireland keeper endured a baptism of fire from the Bramall Lane faithful, still angry after his defection to Rangers.

Kenny was offered a new contract at United after being banned for most of last season for failing a drugs test, only to move south to join former Blades manager Neil Warnock at Loftus Road.

The 32-year-old keeper looked on as Rangers, orchestrated by the impressive Adel Taarabt, romped into a 3-0 lead.

Kenny produced a faultless performance and also conjured up a spectacular stop as United looked for a way back.

Rangers snatched the lead in the 11th minute with comparative ease.Morocco international Taarabt, who destroyed Barnsley in a 4-0 victory last week, set up the goal with a penetrating pass which split the Sheffield back four.

United were still reeling as Rangers added a second in the 20th minute. Ephraim had time and space on the left flank to pump in a curling cross and Jamie Mackie glided his header beyond Simonsen’s reach.

The misery continued as Rangers took a 3-0 lead just three minutes later with a disputed penalty.

Taarabt was the architect, threading the ball to Ephraim, whose low shot was spilled by the keeper.

As Simonsen tried to retrieve the ball he collided with Heider Helguson, who was sent sprawling. It was left to Taarabt to cooly dispatch the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.

United rallied and almost pulled a goal back. Midfielder Nick Montgomery crossed from the right flank to Richard Creswell, whose powerful header from six yards was tipped over in spectacular fashion by Kenny.

Wales international Ched Evans pulled a header wide from centre back Johnny Ertl’s deceptive cross before the crowd erupted when full back Clint Hill appeared to upend Evans in the area – but assistant Amy Fearn remained unmoved as angry United players confronted her.

Clarke had an opportunity in the 73rd minute, breaking down the left flank unmarked. But with time to take another strike, he slammed in a low, right-foot shot from 20 yards that was smothered by Simonsen.

Alejando Faurlin tried his luck with a vicious low strike from 18 yards, which was deflected by Ertl.

United manager Kevin Blackwell, Warnock’s assistant during their eight-year reign at Bramall Lane, brought on striker Daniel Bogdanovic and winger Mark Yeats for Evans and the ineffective Stephen Quinn but there was no way through Rangers’ formidable back four.

In the closing minutes, Jamie Ward cut inside to pick out Montgomery but the angle was too tight and he slammed the ball into the side netting.